AIAG’s collective efforts beyond compliance set new benchmarks for sustainability and integrity, strengthening trust with customers and stakeholders around the globe. As we near the end of 2025, we highlight six key accomplishments that reflect our ongoing commitment to corporate responsibility. Achieving these milestones required deep cross-industry collaboration and a shared vision for more transparent, ethical, and sustainable supply chains. Thank you to everyone whose contributions helped expand AIAG’s influence and impact on a global scale.
“These accomplishments demonstrate what’s possible when an industry unites around a common purpose,” says Lecedra Welch-Jones, Environmental Sustainability Program Manager. “Together, we’re not only raising the bar — we’re redefining what responsible leadership looks like across the global supply chain.”
- AIAG Launched Carbon Inventory Management Workshop Series
AIAG launched a complimentary Carbon Inventory Management Workshop series in three parts in March, July, and September 2025. Part 1 explored the fundamentals of carbon inventory. Part 2 focused on the critical intersection of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), PCF methodologies, and their implementation in automotive supply chains. Part 3 built on the foundational concepts explored in Parts 1 and 2, moving from measurement to meaningful action. Find all the recordings on AIAG’s website under the webinars tab or access them directly here: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
View all AIAG’s upcoming training opportunities here and available recorded webinars here. Learn more about carbon by visiting AIAG's Corporate Responsibility webpage on Greenhouse Gas Reporting. Interested in joining the Greenhouse Gas Work Group or have questions? Email Jones at LWelch-Jones@AIAG.org.
- AIAG and OEMs Sent Milestone Joint Letter on Forced Labor
Marking another milestone in the automotive industry’s ongoing journey toward responsible sourcing and supply chain transparency, six leading manufacturers came together for the first time in a joint letter to suppliers in August 2025. It signaled a unified approach to forced labor due diligence with the participation of Ford, General Motors, Honda, Nissan, Stellantis, and Toyota. The letter alerted suppliers about the industrywide collaboration to address forced labor due diligence requirements beginning September 2025. Read AIAG’s article about the letter here. Read the full letter here.
For more information, resources, and ongoing support on the topic of forced labor, visit AIAG Forced Labor Due Diligence Program.
- New PCF Guidance Workgroup Established
In July 2025, the International Material Data System (IMDS) introduced functionality for Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) reporting (which is reporting carbon at a part level), marking a major step toward carbon transparency in the automotive supply chain. This enhancement responds to growing regulatory and OEM requirements for cradle-to-gate emissions data, enabling suppliers to provide accurate and standardized PCF values for materials and components.
To support this transition, AIAG established a new PCF Guidance Workgroup. While Recommendation 027 (REC027) specifies where PCF data should be entered in IMDS, AIAG's guidance goes further — showing you how to calculate PCF in alignment with the Catena-X rulebook and industry best practices. The workgroup’s mission is to close knowledge gaps, streamline processes, and ensure consistent, high-quality data entry across the supply chain.
By combining clear calculation methods with IMDS integration, this initiative strengthens compliance and accelerates progress toward carbon neutrality. Stay tuned for upcoming resources and training sessions designed to help you implement PCF reporting effectively. (A PCF Guidance document is estimated to be launched by Q1 2026, and training is to follow.)
- AIAG Chosen as North America Hub for CATENA-X
Announced in June 2025, AIAG was named the official North America hub for Catena-X, the first open, secure, and standardized data ecosystem built for the entire automotive value chain. This partnership allows OEMs, suppliers, and service providers of all sizes across North America to participate in a unified, interoperable network that enables secure, standardized, and future-ready data sharing throughout the global automotive supply chain. Unlike traditional, fragmented, and manual one-to-one data exchanges, Catena-X creates seamless, real-time collaboration — regardless of the technology platforms companies currently use. Read the full announcement here.
Companies interested in experiencing Catena-X can connect with AIAG experts and join pilot programs to see firsthand how secure, transparent data sharing can address challenges in quality, supply chain, and corporate responsibility.
- AIAG Unveiled Version 2.0 of Forced Labor DDRT
In May 2025, AIAG announced Version 2.0 of its Due Diligence Reporting Template (DDRT) for its industry-aligned Forced Labor Due Diligence Program. This update enhanced reporting efficiency and clarity, positioning suppliers of all sizes to do their part to achieve greater industry-wide alignment and compliance. Participating OEMS — Ford, GM, Honda, Nissan, Stellantis, and Toyota — started requesting selected supplier submissions in September 2025. The annual reporting cadence is expected to become a broader requirement in mid-2026. An OEM panel was featured at the industry-first AIAG Forced Labor Due Diligence Conference in May 2025 to address this announcement.
In addition to the DDRT, AIAG’s Forced Labor Due Diligence Program offers training materials, industry guidance, and technology provider services at industry-negotiated pricing.
- AIAG’s Industry Briefing Returned as Responsible Materials Conference
For decades, AIAG and its member companies have worked together to build the tools and resources that drive responsible materials reporting. Continuing that legacy, AIAG brought back its long-standing Conflict Minerals Industry Briefing for a new era with a new name, Responsible Materials Conference. To reintroduce the event, AIAG offered free registration this year in person or online. The one-day hybrid event in September 2025 allowed attendees to hear directly from industry leaders, compliance experts, and policymakers as they explored the latest developments, challenges, and real-world solutions. Read the announcement here. View the agenda here.
